Drop box picker



Sept. 19, 1950 J, E, M05 2,522,885

DROP BOX PICKER Filed Feb. 13, 1947 Fi .1. M

Patented Sept. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DROP BOX PICKER J. Edgar Moe, Danielson, Conn, assignor to The Bullard Clark Company, Danielson, Conm, a corporation of Connecticut Application February 13, 1947, Serial No. 728,251

2 Claims.

ated on its power stroke by any suitable impulse.

This picker is subjected to a maximum amount of wear and shock both during the power stroke when the shuttle is being thrown, and in the shuttle-receiving operation when the picker is thrust backwardly by the impact of the return of the shuttle as it strikes the picker when thrown from the opposite side of the loom. Such constant impact with the free-traveling shuttle, particularly on heavy work and in a wide loom, subjects the picker to excessive strain, wear, and stress.

Heretofore, drop pickers have been made of many different materials such as metal, wood, canvas, leather, rubber or compounds thereof, but none of these have been satisfactory in combining the desired characteristics of wear-resistance, resiliency, strength, and long life.

My present invention, therefore, is directed to obviate the difficulties above briefly outlined and to improve and perfect a drop picker construction having a limited but desired resiliency both lengthwise and widthwise, together with wearresisting, non-yielding elements at points where the strains and stresses are most concentrated.

I have discovered that I can combine a yielding element with a non-yielding element, or elements, as well as a method of making the same whereby my improved picker comprises wear-resisting metallic portions where the same is most needed, and resilient non-metallic portions where such are deemed more adequate.

In carrying out my present invention, I provide an interlocked set of metallic elements vulcanized or otherwise secured to intermediate layers of resilient material, which are thus reinforced and cooperate with the metallic or nonresilient portion wherein both are constructed and arranged to perform a most eflicient combination.

For the non-resilient material, I may use wood, plastic, magnesium, aluminum, thin iron, or any light, strong, wear-resistant alloy. For the resilient element, I may prefer synthetic plastic, rubber, synthetic rubber, suitable rubber compound or combinations thereof, or the like, of proper consistency to effect the limited resilience 2 needed for the shuttle-throwing and receiving operations.

In my novel construction, I produce a simple, strong, compact, streamlined, and serviceable combination of interlocked metal and resilient portions, thus giving a universal yielding lengthwise and widthwise, and hence shock-absorption and wear-resistance; while the metallic portions take up the power-actuating wear and reinforce the non-metallic portions.

M novel drop picker is preferably formed by an improved method of manufacture which consists in interlocking the molded resilient element with two or more overlapping metallic members, and a wear-resisting plug positioned at the base of the picker for contact with a shuttle, all of which are welded together by a vulcanizing process resulting in a reinforced cushioned construction.

A further feature of my novel dropbox picker resides in the unique construction of the plug with its reversible shuttle-contacting surface. Thus, when one surfacebecomes so worn from constant shuttle-receiving and throwing impact as to impair its performance, I imply reverse the direction of the picker on the shaft on which, it slides, and a new and similar plug surface is automatically brought into desired position, and I both plugs are backed up by a non-resilient partition.

Referring to the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my present invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my drop box picker;

Fig. 2 is a front longitudinal view of the same in cross-section, and

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawing, I provide a combination of resilient and non-resilient elements of novel design, arranged in an interlocking construction which presents a universally reinforced shock-absorbing unit. In such unit, l0 designates a cylindrical non-resilient member, preferably of aluminum or some suitable alloy, having cut-out and bent-down flaps 8 and 9 as shown in Fig. 2, together with a centrally depending web ll cut out to fit about said flaps 8 and 9. Such web H is assembled between the upwardly extending arms l2 and I3 of a band-like member of similar material designated generally at 14, which also comprises a circular bottom member IS, an intermediate or brace section l6, and a central partition I! positioned between said brace l6.

and said circular member I 5. Both of these non-.

resilient members In and I4 are integral units, being cast, welded, stamped out or otherwise formed.

Pressure-fitted within the member is a bushing l8 made of fibre or like material, adapted to slidably engage a stationary rod (not shown) which extends thru the opening l9, and on which the picker slides. Centrally of the cylindrical member ID and coextensive with said flaps 8 and 9, and cut out of or otherwise formed in said web H, is a substantially rectangular opening 22 arranged to cooperate with any suitable power impulse (not shown) which may actuate the drop picker to throw the shuttle. Shuttle-receiving plugs and 2| are forced into each. side of the circular pockets formed by the cylindrical bottom member IS, the brace l6 and the partition [1, each plug being backed by said partition, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Said plugs 20 and 2| may be formed 'of any suitable material, preferably fibre, interrolled canvas, or the like, and, if desired, may be constructed with shuttle-point receiving and centering recesses therein.

, Bonded, vulcanized, fused or otherwise secured throughout my novel picker to fit, enclose, and hold in. spaced relationship the non-resilient parts thereof is a mass of resilient material comprising a cylindrical member covering portion formed with 2. depending marginal edge 26 which surrounds the cylindrical member II]; and outer web-covering portion 21, inner web-interlocking portions 28 and 29, and circular bottom member covering portions 30 and 3 I.

It will thus be appreciated that my present invention produces a light, strong, and efficient drop picker construction, with metallic elements where needed at the points of greatest stress, and resilient portions best adapted to effect the automatic and relatively slight yielding actions desired'in connection with its shuttle-throwing and,

receiving functions, taking up and absorbing shocks, stresses, strains, and twisting actions both lengthwise and widthwise, the resilient portions. and the non-resilient elements arranged to cooperate with, protect, and reinforceeach other.

While I prefer to utilize thin metal or an alloy, asabove explained, for the reinforcing and nonresilient elements, I may utilize also any other suitable material which is relatively non-yielding or inflexible in comparison with the yielding or flexible material. Thus, I could use different types of hard, wear-resisting plastic sheets or strips for the members ID and I4, or compressed or treated wood, plywood, or the like.

Therefore, I wish to claim herein the novel drop picker construction and method of making the same which includes the relatively non-yielding elements bonded together with relatively yielding portions to constitute a drop box picker composed of flexible and inflexible elements for the purpose described.

I claim:

1. A drop box picker of the kind described comprising two oppositely positioned overlapping disconnected non-resilient elements, one of said elements adapted to slide on a, rod, the other of said elements constructed to house a shuttle-engaging plug, means in said first mentioned element to cooperate with a shuttle-throwing power impulse, and synthetic plastic resilient material bonded on, about, and between said non-resilient elements to hold, them in relatively spaced and overlapping and united relation, whereby shuttle strains will be transmitted from one non-resilient member having upwardly extending arms span-- ning and overlapping said web member, and provided with a transverse bisecting partition, a pair of resilient shuttle-engagin plugs fitted into each side of said lower member and backed by said partition, and a mass of resilient material bonded on, about, and between saidv upper, central, and lower non-resilient members to retain said three members in united and spaced relation.

J. EDGAR MOE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 135,253 Taylor Jan. 28, 1873- 1,852,812 Leiby Apr. 5, 1932 1,852,824 Schroeder Apr. 5, 1932 2,223,357 Prina Dec. 3, 1940- 24451745 Moe July 20, 1948 

